A well taken last minute penalty kick which was well converted by Firas Chaouat saved CS Sfaxien from a home defeat in their CAF Champions League Group C clash with Etoile du Sahel on Sunday night as both teams settled for a 2-2 draw.
Etoile took an early lead thanks to Aymen Sfaxi’s strike on the 10th minute before Wajdi Kechrida placed in the second on the 32nd minute as he capitalised on Sfaxien’s defensive lapse and unleashed a powerful shot past substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Gaaloul.
Sfaxien came out more energized in the second half, piling pressure on Etoile ’s backline and their efforts were rewarded on the 69th minute courtesy of Azmi Ghouma strike.
Etoile broke the deadlock after ten minutes when Yassine Chikhaoui sent an inviting cross into the box for Aymen Sfaxi, who managed to get a slight touch to squeeze the ball past Aymen Dahmen.
The visitors nearly extended their advantage in the 15th minute but Iheb Msakni’s header sailed just wide of the target.
Sfaxien pushed for an equaliser and were nearly rewarded in the 20th minute but Walid Kridene produced a superb save to keep out Sahil Ali ‘s stinging effort from 20-yards out.
Lassaad Dridi’s charges were threatening from set-pieces and they doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Wajdi Kechrida sent his shot into the back of the net.
Sfaxien ended the first of on a stronger note but were unable to find an equaliser, as they headed into the halftime break.
Saddam Aziza squandered a golden chance to reduce the deficit for Sfaxien in the 57th minute when his attempted lob sailed wide of the upright with only keeper to beat.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure as they looked for an equaliser and they were rewarded in the 68th minute through a thunderous shot from Ghouma.
Sfaxien managed to secure a point with just one minutes from the full-time whistle, as Chaouat converted from the sport for an equalizer
Elsewhere, Orlando Pirates went to the summit of Group A with an impressive 3-0 win over Al Ahli Benghazi at the Orlando Stadium.
The win sees Chiefs on the top of the log with 8 points from four matches, two points ahead of second place Enyimba International, while Benghazi find themselves at the bottom with one point.
The Sea Robbers broke the deadlock on the 36 minutes when Ntsikelelo Nyauza picked up a loose ball from a corner-kick to apply a close-range finish following confusion from the Tunisians.
Tshegofatso Mabasa extended Pirates lead just before the break heading a powerful header at the near post from a corner came off defender Aboubakr Meeld.
Benghazi soaked in the third goal in the last 20 minutes of the game when Kabole Dlamini Kabelo Dlamini collected a rebound from Mabasa’s initial strike to riffle the back of the net.
